Engine noise I have a 2000 dodge grand caravan with a 3.3L i bought new, it now has 110k miles on it uses no oil runs great. it has a noise in engine that has been getting worse the last year. its coming from the front of engine, i can take the belt off start it and its still there. its not a rod or wrist pin or bearings i don't think because when i put it in gear under load its stays the same, driving down the road whether under load or off the gas its the same it sounds to me like a chain tensioner slapping around maybe from the crank to the cam is their such a thing? has anyone had this problem? any help with this? Thanks

It is true that this engine DOES in fact have a timing chain. The 3.0L uses a timing belt, which has to be replaced at regular intervals. Typically, the 3.3 & 3.8, which both use a timing chain, don't have to be replaced nearly as often but still requires replacement once they have "stretched" beyond their normal working limits. The timing chain cover must be removed to inspect or replace this part. Typically, timing chain kits (comes w/ crank & cam gears) are sold at local auto parts stores.

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if its a ticking noise then its probably a lifter noise from age and mileage or none scheduled maintenance. on your next oil change you can try running an oil system cleaner through your engine but this is not something to be overly concerned about.

New cars and truck manufactures recomend differend types of grades of oil when the engine is new. What they don't tell you when the engine receives 30,000 miles on it the grade of oil can be changed for better lubrication. Use 10w30 for normal use upon changing oil.

If your engine has a rod knock the engine has to be rebuilt or replaced rebuilt is about $2000 to $3000 dollars and a new motor even more.It is unusal for a rod to be out around 60,000 miles unless it was ran real hard or run out of oil or way low on oil.

The engine bearings and oil pump are getting worn. Try 'high-mileage' oil next oil change (be sure to change the filter too). If you have been running 10-30 oil, go to 10-40 which has more viscosity and maintains oil pressure better. The sure fix is a fresh engine, but not cheap. We had a '96 Caravan that had over 300,000 miles and still running well on the original engine when we bought a later model Caravan.

If you have a knocking noise, then you need a motor. If you have a ticking noise, could be a bad lifter, or an exhaust leak. If the oil hasn't been changed regularly, every 3000 miles, you probably have an engine issue.

I have a 2000 grand caravan with 234000 miles i have had since new. I have had no major problems with it. My best suggestion is if it acts up get it checked. Do not wait until it breaks it should last a while for you. I plan on driving it until it hits 300000. I average maybe 500 a year on general maintence type things. Between, tires, oil changes and things that have never gone bad so it is a very reliable vehicle. Good luck

Turns out it was the water pump. The plastic impeller on the inside had broken in half- split almost right down the middle. there was just enough of the impeller remaining to attach to the shaft and pump water. Apparently, it was pumping enough to keep the temp under control. So, I never noticed it overheating. The piece that had broken off had gotten lodged in a recessed area inside the pump housing. The ticking noise was being generated as the intact half of the impeller rotated and hit the broken off half.

I narrowed down the problem by removing the belt and cranking the engine temporarily. With the belt off and the pump not turning, the sound was gone. I could spin the pump pulley by hand and faintly hear the noise.

A new pump cost me $35 and took about two and a half hours to replace.